OLD New Team News Archive

NOTE: many of the links in the past news will be old and may not work
decided it was not worth the time to go thru each one on all the Team Past News pages

2002 News

F1 Visitor's at Homestead UPDATE: Three-time Formula One champion Alain Prost strolled through the pits and paddock Friday at Miami-Homestead Speedway, getting his first look at NASCAR stock cars. "They are very loud, just like Formula One," Prost said, smiling. The Frenchman, whose Prost F1 team went bankrupt midway through the 2002 season, was the guest of Winston Cup and Busch Series car owner George deBidart. Also visiting the track Friday was F1 driver and former CART champion Juan Pablo Montoya. Montoya, who has a home in Miami, was the guest of Target/Chip Ganassi Racing team manager Andy Graves, who ran Ganassi's Indy-car operation in 2000 when Montoya won the Indianapolis 500.(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(11-16-2002)UPDATE: Alain Prost, former World Champion, has expressed interest in running a NASCAR team, 11 months after his Formula One team Prost Grand Prix went bankrupt. The 47-year-old, who won four drivers’ crowns, said the relatively modest running costs in NASCAR and the guarantee of close racing was tempting from an ownership viewpoint.(Daily F1)(12-30-2002)

Race team to Pay Sponsor to be on Car: America's Most Wanted Motorsports has come to the realization that time is currently passing them by to acquire a full time sponsor of their program [Cup or BGN] for the 2003 racing season. So they have devised a plan that would be a golden opportunity for an existing or new sponsor. AMW Motorsports has a Guaranteed media package estimated to close to $4million and they are willing to negotiate a part time schedule next season for the BGN racing series with a sponsor and offer this complete package. AMW Motorsports will negotiate a 15-race schedule starting in Daytona and will offer their complete marketing program in full to a sponsor. This basically represents the team will be paying the sponsor to be on the car. For more info on this opportunity and to assist in finding Missing Children visit www.bodydynamicsracing.com.(12-9-2002)

Fellows and DEI UPDATE: DEI will announce today it has hired Toronto's Ron Fellows to race at Sonoma and Watkins Glen next season. Dale Earnhardt Inc. will form a fourth Winston Cup team to accommodate Fellows -- who has a total of five BGN and CTS victories driving for a team owned by Joe Nemechek. Fellows will continue to race the No. 3 factory Corvette C5-R in the American Le Mans Series, where he won the GTS championship this season. "DEI will have a fourth team at both Sonoma and Watkins Glen for the 2003 season and Ron Fellows will be our driver," DEI spokesman Steve Crisp said. Fellows will also play a major role in upgrading DEI's road course racing program, acting as a coach for Dale Earnhardt Jr., Michael Waltrip and Steve Park. "Thrilled is the best word to describe how I feel," Fellows said yesterday from Sebring, Fla., where he was testing the 2003 Corvette. "Being with one of the best Winston Cup teams in the business is a big shot in the arm for me." Sponsorship and details on team personnel with the DEI effort are still being worked out. Fellows will begin working soon with DEI chassis and motor builders to prepare the team for 2003. Crisp said DEI has been pursuing Fellows since team founder Dale Earnhardt worked with him leading up to the 24 Hours of Daytona sports car race in 2001.(Toronto Sun)(11-12-2002)UPDATE: Veteran road racer and 2002 ALMS GTS Series Champion Ron Fellows will compete in both the Sears Point and Watkins Glen NASCAR Winston Cup road races in 2003 at the wheel of Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolets. Fellows, 43, of Toronto, Ontario, Canadawill also perform testing and road race coaching duties at DEI for the upcoming season. After coaching DEI driver Michael Waltrip in 2002, Waltrip went on to qualify on the outside pole for the Watkins Glen event, finishing 9th. DEI and Fellows first formed a relationship in preparation for the 2001 24 Hours of Daytona, where the late Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr. competed as teammates of Fellows in the GTS Corvettes fielded by Chevrolet. The two Corvettes swept the GTS class, claiming first and second place. Fellows is no stranger to driving the heavier, albeit more powerful, NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Grand National cars posting several successful finishes in both series' road races. In five NASCAR Winston Cup starts, Fellows has posted a top-five, a top-ten and an outside pole. In four BGN starts, Fellows has claimed three victories and two poles. "I am excited beyond belief," Fellows stated. ."This is something we've talked about doing for a long time. It's a dream come true for me to drive a Dale Earnhardt Incorporated car. It's a goal of mine to win a NASCAR Winston Cup race and this moves me one step closer to doing the that."(DEI PR)(11-14-2002)

McGlynn to attempt a Pocono Cup race? UPDATE 3 At Martinsville: hearing CTS driver Ryan McGlynn and team is preparing a Chevy to run at one or both Pocono Winston Cup events. McGlynn Racing is based in Wilkes-Barre, PA. No word on sponsorship at this time.(5-25-2002)UPDATE: hearing McGlynn will attempt the 2nd Pocono race in July, not the race in June.(5-29-2002)UPDATE 2: now hearing it is unlikely that McGlynn will be attempting to run Pocono this week but McGlynn may attempt to run New Hampshire in September.(7-23-2002)UPDATE 3: Ryan McGlynn will be attempting his Winston Cup debut at Martinsville Speedway. McGlynn has driven at Pennsylvania's Mountain Speedway and also competed at New Jersey's Flemington Speedway and Tioga Speedway in New York and more recently has been a regular in the CTS. "I’m really excited about this opportunity and I’m ready to go. We’re still pounding some things out on the car to get it all finished," said 27-year old McGlynn who resides in Wilkes-Barre and is the manger of McGlynn’s High Performance Auto Parts. McGlynn had hoped to be able to race earlier this year at both Pocono Raceway Winston Cup events but due to lack of superspeedway experience required by NASCAR he has to settle for the .526-mile at Martinsville. "We actually had quite a bit of sponsorship to go to both Pocono races with the Cup car. We felt that we had as good a shot as anybody to run well there due to the fact that I have run a lot of laps there as an instructor for the Stock Car Racing Experience school. They (NASCAR) shot me down and said that I didn’t have enough speedway experience in the Truck Series. They told me had I run a Busch car at the bigger tracks it would have been a different story. After that we lost the sponsorship we had to go to Pocono but we still have a brand new car sitting here and that’s how it came about that we are going to Martinsville," said McGlynn. Although McGlynn would have much rather debuted at Pocono in front of the home crowd, he feels just as comfortable at Martinsville where he had raced numerous times with the trucks. "I’ve been to most of these tracks at least once and most of them several times so as far as that goes it’s pretty easy anymore. I like Martinsville because it’s a tight little track and it’s what I was accustomed to when I raced at Mountain Speedway," said McGlynn. McGlynn’s maiden voyage will come behind the wheel of a brand new 2002 #80 Chevy. CRD Engineering of North Carolina has put together the motor. This will be CRD’s first venue into Winston Cup as well. Their presence has been primarily in the BGN and CTS Series. It will no doubt be a task getting the car into the race. McGlynn’s first time out with the car will not take place until he arrives for practice on Friday. "I’m just going off by what everybody else says that came from the trucks and went to the cars that it’s like night and day. Nine out of ten guys who where in the trucks and went to the cars or moved up to the Cup said they (cars) are a 100 times easier to drive so I’m just going on that. It’s not like I never raced cars before," explained McGlynn. "Opptomisticly speaking I’m hoping for a decent qualifying position. I’m not going to go down there and expect to get into the top-15. But if I can qualify, get in the race, run 500 laps and be there at the end then we reached our goal. If everything works out well for Martinsville then McGlynn said the team would possibly make a run at Phoenix in November. As far as his Craftsmen Truck goes, there are no plans to park it. They are already mapping out their game plan for 2003.(Open Wheel Racing)(10-15-2002)

New NASCAR Team? An effort to locate a NASCAR shop in the Princeton [West Virginia] area is still in the works, officials say. Several weeks ago, it was announced that NASCAR - in the form of an organization known as Team West Virginia - was coming to town. The team, it was said, was planning a facility for an area just outside Princeton off Interstate 77 at Exit 9, near the Ramada Inn. David Barker is president of Team West Virginia. Barker has said that initially the Princeton project would call for the construction of a race shop at the site. This would be the anchor for what Team West Virginia envisions as a 45,000 square foot facility that also would include a restaurant, office space and a gift shop. Initially, team sponsors applied to the state Economic Development Grant Committee for $2.7 million needed to construct an access road from I-77 necessary before the project could become reality. The committee turned down that request, but Barker has said efforts to obtain the funding is ongoing. This week, Barker said he has been working with state economic development representatives out of the governor's office on the project. "They are still deeply involved in trying to make this happen," he said. "Lots of people think it's really a neat idea. It's just a matter of when and how. I think it's going to happen. I still feel real good about it. I feel good about the support we're getting from Charleston on this. They've been very supportive. They're trying their best to make some things happen." Gov. Bob Wise earlier announced a partnership with Team West Virginia, Inc., and the West Virginia Division of Tourism for a special four-race NASCAR Busch Grand National project featuring Winston Cup driver and NBC-TNT color commentator Wally Dallenbach. The car is a Dodge R/T carrying the Pepsi brand as a primary sponsor.(Bluefield Daily Telegraph)(10-7-2002)

Another Rudd and a new team UPDATE: Rick Glenn of Glenn Racing and Jim Edwards of JE Performance announced that they have officially combined operations to form JAGER Motorsports. This newly formed group will compete in both NASCAR’s BGN and Winston Cup Series. The team will be headquartered in Stuart, Florida with Race facilities located in Forest City, NC, just 1.5 hours from Charlotte, NC. Ricky Pearson, son of NASCAR legend David Pearson will assume Crew Chief duties and manage day-to-day operations of the race team. Jason Rudd, nephew of #28 Cup Driver Ricky Rudd will join JAGER Motorsports to run a limited schedule for the 2002 and 2003 seasons.(JAGER Motorsports PR)(10-7-2002)UPDATE: Veteran NASCAR Busch Series crew chief Ricky Pearson denied Friday that he was crew chief for the new JAGER Motorsports team. It was reported that the team would compete on a limited basis in both the BGN and Cup Series in 2002 and 2003 with driver Jason Rudd, nephew of Winston Cup regular Ricky Rudd. “I am looking at many opportunities,” said Pearson, who was in
Charlotte this week. “I don’t know how this came out but I am not with this team. I have been in the garage talking to a lot of people and I hope to have something nailed down in the upcoming weeks. I want to be back in NASCAR in 2003, but nothing is concrete yet.”(Pro Sports Management and Marketing PR)(10-12-2002)

America's Most Wanted Racing: is moving forward and has launched a new website www.amw-racing.com. This web site will carry information on the team and their campaign for the recovery and education of missing and exploited children. New sponsor highlights (maybe Winston Cup?) will also adorn the site as well as information on John Walsh and The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and other children's Safty sites. The site will grow with the team.(PR)(9-23-2002)

Cowboys still looking to be in NASCAR: Owner Andy Petree's inability to secure a top-name driver squashed the proposed partnership with the Cowboys organization, according to sources close to the situation. "We have to make sure that this will be done the right way and the way our fans would expect of anything the Cowboys are involved in," Jerry Jones Jr., the Cowboys' vice president/director of marketing, told The Dallas Morning News. NASCAR sources say the Cowboys are talking to other teams in the Winston Cup and Busch Series garages. Although there was speculation the NFL had "cross-marketing" concerns from the start, Jones and Petree would not confirm that. Petree faces the task of rethinking his game plan for 2003. Although he would like to field two teams, he might have trouble fielding one; he currently is without a driver or sponsor for next season.(Sporting News)(9-2-2002)

Kelly looking to field or get involved with a team: Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, who waved the green flag for yesterday's race, said he's interested in becoming involved in a BGN or Winston Cup team [also mentioned ARCA on TV] in the next year. Kelly started talking with a potential sponsor this weekend. "It's a matter of getting the right people behind it," said Kelly, who also served as the honorary starter for the 1992 Daytona 500.(Richmond Times Disptach) AND Kelly admitted he has entertained thoughts of involving himself in racing in some capacity in the future. “I met with some people (Saturday) and I will continue to meet with some people today about hopefully getting into some part of racing next year,” Kelly said. “Maybe either the Busch Series, or hopefully in the future into Winston Cup. It’s just a matter of getting the right people behind us and talk with them then. I know as well as anybody that it has to be a win-win for everybody or it doesn’t make sense,” Kelly said. “Ever since 9-11, it’s a lot harder for sponsorship, but the bottom line is making sure it’s win-win for everybody. One way or another, I’m still going to tune in every weekend to watch it and I will make my trips to tracks to watch it.” These days, aside from keeping up with the Bills and racing, Kelly keeps himself busy with Hunter’s Hope, the foundation he set up to find a cure for Krabbe’s Disease, an affliction that has stricken his five-year-old son. “We set up the Hunter’s Hope foundation so that kids all over the world do not suffer the way my son does,” Kelly said. “My son’s on oxygen 24 hours a day and he eats through a machine, but he’s the toughest little boy I’ve ever met in my life.”(The Leader)(8-12-2002)

Barrett to run two Cup races: Stanton Barrett is competing in at least 11 BGN races and at least two Winston Cup races this season. The Winston Cup races in which Barrett is scheduled to compete are Oct. 26 at Atlanta and Nov. 17 at Homestead. Barrett ran the Chicago BGN race after breaking bones in a movie stunt recently - he is a hollywood stuntman. Former Cup crew chief is team manager of the team.(Williams Company), will supposedly run the #94.(7-16-2002)

New Cup team? Atlanta businessman Gordon Whitener and investor and Texas developer Lee Sanders have announced plans to field a Winston Cup team later this season. SWI Motorsports, which will be based near Charlotte, expects to announce a driver, crew chief and sponsor soon. Whitener is founder and president of the United States Cowboy Tour, a rodeo and sports marketing company. He also has served as president and CEO of Interface Americas, Inc., a Georgia-based floor coverings company.(Atlanta Journal Constitution), Buckshot driver? and also hearing that Jeff Hammond might be involved, but not with Stanton Barrett in the other Cup/BGN team.(6-21-2002)

Driver to attempt to make Cup debut: Recent NASCAR Winston West Winner Brandon Ash will be making his Winston Cup debut this weekend at Sears Point Raceway in a Ford Taurus previously owned by Robert Yates which was fourth last June with Ricky Rudd behind the wheel. The new team ,"Track Access", will attempt to run both Sears Point and Phoenix Cup races as the #46 for new team owners Jon Perroton and Scott Yeaman. Long-time engine builder and "Dad" ,Ed Ash, will fill the duties of car chief while Joey Knuckles steps into the crew chief position. Tom Label of Auto Marine Engineering is team manager. Primary team sponsorship is yet to be finalized but associate sponsorship will come from Brandon's Winston West team in the form of SAS, Fuji Film and Little Tree.(PR)(6-19-2002)

Barrett wins stunt award: Stanton Barrett, driver of the Bojangles/OdoBan Ford in NASCAR's Cup and BGN, added another trophy to his case. Televised worldwide by ABC Friday night, May 31, Barrett won a World Stunt Award for his work in the hit movie Jurassic Park III. The award was for Best Water Work, and involved being pulled in a cage through the water while "running" from dinosaurs. "It was a pretty neat deal. They taped the (ABC television) show but it was so cool going up on stage," said Barrett, who is one of the top stunt men and stunt coordinators in Hollywood. He has worked in such recent hit movies as Spider Man and The Patriot with Mel Gibson. "It was neat being there with top actors like Billy Bob Thornton and Arnold Schwarzenegger, and so many others, and picking up an award like that," he said. "It's nice recognition. "Plus," he added, "I'm a pretty competitive person. I want to win anything I'm in. You don't go into stunt work looking to win awards but, once you are up for it, you want to win it. Barrett owns Red Racing, which fields the Bojangles/OdoBan Tauruses, along with businessman Jody Looney. The team is planning up to 12 NASCAR Busch Grand National and up to four NASCAR Winston Cup starts this season.(Williams Company)(6-1-2002)

LaJoie to run some Cup races UPDATE 2: BGN driver Randy LaJoie and his BGN team owner [#7 Chevy], Ed Evans, are talking to a potential sponsor about moving up to run four or five Cup races later this season. "I'm not going to go just to ride around," he says. "I want to go and be competitive. Like when those Cup guys come over here and kick our butt? I want to go over there and kick theirs." LaJoie, 40, won back-to-back BGN titles in 1996 and 1997. In the past few years, he has turned down several offers to move up to Winston Cup; one would have paid him four times more than he's making now. LaJoie says the extra money isn't worth the additional sponsorship, media and testing hassles that would come along with it. He has several friends in Winston Cup and can't believe how much family time they miss. "I can't put a price tag on that," he says. "It kind of cracks me up when you listen to all these (drivers) that are mid-40s now. I think they finally realized that they had kids. By then their kids are teenagers, you know? To me, I've had so much fun watching my 6-year-old get his first basket in basketball, my 8-year-old getting a hit in baseball. I can't replace that." LaJoie turned down one particularly enticing offer a few years ago after one of his sons asked him why he'd want a job that would take him away from home more often; didn't he already make enough money? "He'd better not get mad at me when he goes to a state college instead of Duke," LaJoie jokes.(more at USA Today)(3-21-2002)UPDATE - LaJoie to Cup? Randy LaJoie’s BGN [#7] team could be moving up next season, team owner Ed Evans said Saturday. LaJoie, the 1996 and 1997 Busch Series champion, stands fourth in the points heading into Saturday’s race. “We believe we’ve got a premier Busch team,” Evans said. “Our standing in the points would indicate that we’re doing things the way we expect to do them right now. We would like to get up to Cup at some point in time. “While saying that, we’re still very committed to Busch and to Kimberly-Clark, and we’re not going to do anything to jeopardize this program or our run for the championship this year. We’ve got a pretty good shot at it. We’re having ongoing discussions. There hasn’t really been any news to report at this point. As we get closer to the fall, we’ll have a little bit more to talk about.”(RacingOne)(5-26-2002)UPDATE 2: maybe the team will move to Cup, but LaJoie said during a FSN Totally NASCAR interview that full time Winston Cup "is not for me".(5-31-2002)

Barrett up for Stunt Award CORRECTION: Stanton Barrett, who plans to make his season debut in the BGN series Saturday at Lowe's Motor Speedway, has been nominated for a World Stunts Award, a worldwide program that honors the best in movie and television stunt work. The awards show will be televised live by ABC Saturday night. Because of his work in the movie, Jurassic Park III, Barrett was nominated in the "Best Water Work" category. Other movies nominated are Apocalypse Now Redux, American Outlaws, The Animal and Rush Hour 2. Promotion of ABC’s telecast of the World Stunt Awards will be on the rear deck lid of Barrett’s car this weekend. Barrett, a stuntman who has competed in BGN and Cup races previously, formed Red Racing with businessman Jody Looney this year. Red Racing is led by team manager Jeff Hammond, a former Winston Cup crew chief and now Fox Network television commentator, as well as veteran crew chief Richard Lasater. "We have a lot of great things planned this year, and even greater things in 2003. I think we’re off to a great start," Barrett said. Barrett is scheduled to compete in up to 12 BGN races and four Cup events this season with his new team.(ThatsRacin.com), actually the World Stunt Awards aren't on TV Saturday night but will be televised on ABC, Friday, May 31, at 8:00pm/et.(World Stunt Awards Site)(5-24-2002)

New Team? UPDATE 2: hearing a new Winston Cup/BGN team is going to be announced next week. Jeff Hammond is heavily involved. Hear they have one of the top people from Haas-Carter Motorsports coming in as crew chief. Understand they are going to run up to four Winston Cup races and at least seven BGN races the rest of this season, setting themselves up for a full run in BGN with a partial Winston Cup schedule in 2003. Sponsorship is in place too.(5-7-2002)UPDATE: hearing the driver will be Stanton Barrett and the team will use Rosuh cars and engines.(5-8-2002)UPDATE 2: Beginning with the BGN race at Lowe's Motor Speedway Saturday, May 25, Stanton Barrett will compete in up to 12 BGN and four Cup races this season. Jeff Hammond, who has led some of the top teams in Cup racing, is serving as team manager. Veteran winning crew chief Richard Lasater, who has built a top reputation in the BGN garage, will head up the competition side of the team. Terry Allen, a veteran of several NASCAR series, serves as team coordinator. Bojangles', one of the country's top restaurant chains known for its Cajun-style chicken and fresh buttermilk biscuits, and OdoBan, the fastest-growing cleaner, disinfectant and deodorizer on the market, will sponsor Barrett's Red Racing team for much of that. The three Winston Cup races in which Barrett is scheduled to compete are Oct. 10 at Lowe's; Oct. 26 at Atlanta; and Nov. 17 at Homestead. His BGN schedule following next week's race will include June 8 at Nashville, Tenn.; July 13 at Chicago; Aug. 31 at Darlington, S.C.; Sept. 21 at Dover, Del.; Oct. 12 at Lowe's; and Nov. 2 at Rockingham, N.C. "We are also looking at adding the Winston Cup race at Kansas City (Sept. 29) and five more Busch races," Barrett said. Those additional Busch races would be July 20 at Gateway (St. Louis); Aug. 27 at Brooklyn, Mich.; Aug. 23 at Bristol, Tenn.; Oct. 19 at Memphis, Tenn.; and Nov. 9 at Phoenix. Red Racing, co-owned by Barrett and businessman Jody Looney, is fielding the Bojangles'/Odoban team. The organization, led by Hammond, is the culmination of several years' work by Barrett to develop a top program. Barrett is one of the top stunt men in Hollywood, having appeared in movies and television. Coming from what some have referred to as "the Earnhardts of Hollywood stunts," he has used his talents in that area to build his racing career.(Williams Company)(5-16-2002)AND The team is based in Concord, N.C., and will get chassis and engines from Roush Racing.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read), no word on a car number.(5-16-2002)

ARCA Driver to test Cup car: ARCA driver Chad Blount, 22 and his Braun Racing team will be testing in a Winston Cup car next week at Talladega. “This is a perfect opportunity for me to get some additional seat time”, said Blount. “With my goal of being a full time competitor in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, this gives me the chance to get one step closer to that dream.”(Catchfence)(4-3-2002)

fan-owned NASCAR team relaunches UPDATE 2: Fanz Enterprises, which announced plans to form fan-owned NASCAR teams last fall, has re-launched its effort to allow race fans to own stock in NASCAR teams. The company’s debut was interrupted by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington. The company is offering a maximum of 2.5 million shares of its common stock at a price of $10 per share. Fans can become part owners by purchasing a minimum of 25 shares (a $250 one-time investment). The money raised through the public offering is expected to allow Fanz to field a minimum of two full-time race teams. Sources of operating revenue are expected to include sponsorship monies, race purse winnings, race bonuses and sales of collectible and consumer motorsports products. For more information or to obtain a prospectus on the stock offering, visit fanzracing.com, or call (888) 444-8233.(ThatsRacin.com)(3-16-2002)UPDATE: In addition to Larry McReynolds, Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves has joined the Fanz team. Jones is a die-hard NASCAR fan and has dreamed about being a team owner. After learning about Fanz, Jones is "revved-up" to tell race fans across America about the benefits of Ownership and what it means to "be an Owner".(Fanz Enterprises PR)(3-22-2002)AND see an article at USA Today: NASCAR fans hope stock helps them go racing.(3-23-2002)

Team Bristol plans Cup team: The Team Bristol Motorsports BGN [#54] team will have new sponsorship when the tour rolls into Bristol on March 23 and series regular Kevin Grubb has been tabbed to drive the team's Chevrolets, team owner Rick Goodwin said Wednesday. Grubb, who replaced Bristol's Kelly Denton last weekend in Las Vegas, will complete the 2002 BGN schedule in the car, with sponsorship from Toys R Us, a national toy retailer. The team also plans to run five Winston Cup races this season, Goodwin said, including Bristol in August. See more on my BGN Site (just news and rumors, no results, schedules or standings)(3-7-2002)

America’s Most Wanted Team: America’s Most Wanted (AMW) and Body Dynamics Racing are still working to put together the AMW Winston Cup or Busch racing team for the 2002-2003 racing season. They are still trying to secure the funding from corporate or private sector underwriters to put the project together. The program is designed that one missing child (a different child per event), the AMW logo, and the 800-CRIME-TV contact number will be placed on a car with the corporate underwriters Logos during each NASCAR racing event in visible locations. In addition to the race teams exposure, the underwriters can receive up to ($1.5 million dollars) worth of exposure with in show content on the America ’s Most Wanted television show with host John Walsh. In addition to the AMW project Body Dynamics Racing is working to put together a second team in house and are looking to secure sponsorship for that team as well.(more info at the Body Dynamics Racing site)(2-5-2002)

Gerhart to run the Daytona 500: ARCA veteran Bobby Gerhart will run the ARCA race, and is planning to enter either the Winston Cup or BGN races at Daytona. And the ARCAfan site is reporting that engine-builder Dan Begle has completed a Winston Cup engine for Bobby Gerhart to run in the Daytona 500(ARCA Fans site)(1-14-2002)

New Cup Team? Team Bristol Motorsports [#54 BGN] owner Rick Goodwin believes he's close to landing primary sponsorship for driver Kelly Denton, and adds that they could run a handful of Winston Cup races later this year. Denton left Team Bristol in June of last year, but rejoined the team at Rockingham. Tony Lambert, Mark Martin's former BGN crew chief at Roush Racing, has been brought on board.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(1-24-2002)

2001 News

Steele back in Cup: Tim Steele, a three-time ARCA series champion and third generation Michigan racer: "My plans for 2002 see our HS Motorsports Team running in right at 20 races during the year. That's enough to qualify as full-time racers, yet we all can still have lives outside the race track." The "Man of" Steele's schedule for next season sees him competing in 10 to 12 ARCA races, five NASCAR Winston Cup races and five NASCAR Busch Series events. "We're planning on running all the ARCA races that feature live television, the Cup races at Pocono, Michigan and Chicago, and the Busch races at Las Vegas, Kentucky, Michigan and Charlotte (Lowe's)," said the 33-year-old Grand Rapids native and Coopersville, Mich., resident. "We're confident that we can run this schedule and be competitive everywhere we go.(Tom Roberts PR)(12-16-2001)

Fedawa new ride includes Cup? UPDATE 2 Oops Driver NOT signed: rumor has it that Scott Bryant/Bryant Motorsports has acquired primary sponsorship that will allow the running of the full BGN 2002 schedule and run a limited Winston Cup schedule with Tim Fedewa as the driver(Catchfence)(12-8-2001)UPDATE: Bryant Motorsports has come to an agreement with a major minorities company who is excited to be involved with a quality racing team. This company's name, which will be released at a later date, will be the primary sponsor for a full time BGN team. They will also be participating in a part time Winston Cup effort. Tim Fedewa has been signed as Bryant Motorsports driver for both series, with Keith Johnson as team manager.(STB Marketing Group/Catchfence.com)(12-10-2001)UPDATE 2: Keith Johnson will serve as team manager; however, at this time a driver has yet to be signed, and negotiations are still underway with a driver who will drive in both series. "Bryant Motorsports has obtained primary sponsorship, and driver talks are underway with several drivers." stated Scott Bryant, owner of Bryant Motorsports. "Further details will be released as soon as they become available, and negotiations are finalized."(STB Marketing Group - original PR had Fedawa listed as signed)(12-10-2001)

Sponsor for the #70: The #70-Rick Bogart, The Pacesetter Group, LLC., has signed a one race deal sponsor for the Phoenix Cup race. It will be Purex and Bogart will be running a Dodge.(10-25-2001)

Hooper at Atlanta: hearing Lance Hooper will test at Atlanta in the next few weeks in preparation for the NAPA 500 Cup race. He will attempt the race in the # 47 DarkHorse Motorsports Ford(10-24-2001)

Kvapil to attempt Charlotte Cup race? UPDATE 2 no: Travis Kvapil driving an #60 Addington Racing Chevy Winston Cup car during testing at Charlotte this week (Tues the 18th and Wed the 19th), if all goes well Kvapil may attempt the UAW-GM Cup race at Lowes Motor Speedway(9-19-2001)UPDATE: since NASCAR moved the postponed Texas Truck race to the same weekend as the Cup race at Charlotte, there is no way the team can run both(9-19-2001)UPDATE: CTS driver Travis Kvapil made his first laps at Lowe’s Motor Speedway during testing Tuesday/Wednesday(Sept 18-19). Kvapil had hoped to make a qualifying attempt for the UAW-GM Quality 500, but the postponement of the Chevy Silverado 350 truck race at Texas Motor Speedway changed those plans. Unfortunately, Kvapil’s test ended against the concrete wall with his former Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet suffering heavy damage(LMS Site)(9-21-2001)

More Jerry Jones II: Hearing that Dallas Cowboy's Owner Jerry Jones and the Cowboys Franchise is interested in the Body Dynamics/America's Most Wanted Racing(AMW) program as a possible partnership or underwriter. And that the team has received requests from McDonalds, Cingular, Hershey Foods, K-B Toys and Toys-R-us to just name a few that have requested information about the underwriting sponsorship opportunities for the America's Most Wanted Racing program, which they have decided to expand into BGN and Trucks series as well. Body Dynamics/America's Most Wanted Racing is also in the final stages of signing a deal with Robby Unser to drive the AMW CTS entry next season(8-16-2001)UPDATE: Jerry Jones, who owns the Dallas Cowboys, is still working toward building a Winston Cup operation, apparently in the mold of Gibbs' operation. The word from Detroit is that he's looking at Ford and Dodge(Winston Salem Journal)(9-20-2001)

Hooper to attempt Dover: Former Southwest Tour and Winston West Champion Lance Hooper will be attempting to qualify for the Winston Cup Race in Dover this weekend. He will be driving # 47 Ford for Dark Horse Racing. Dark Horse is owned by Florida businessman Roger Smith. The Excedrin #92 BGN Team, headed up by crew chief Tony Liberati, will pit the car for Hooper on Sunday. Hooper is looking for a full time ride for the 2002 season in NASCAR and the #47car is looking for a primary sponsor. Anyone interested can contact Richard Jackson Motorsports @ 828-684-8885 and ask for Lisa(9-19-2001)

New Cup Team? UPDATE 2: Fox broadcaster and Petty Enterprises adviser Larry McReynolds and Fanz Enterprises are announcing a new Winston Cup team Friday at Richmond International Raceway. Fans are participating in the new team by actually buying into the ownership.(Lap by Lap). No idea what this is about(9-6-2001)UPDATE: from back in April - J. Roe Hitchcock wants to put the stock into stock-car racing. The 39-year-old investment executive and Harvard MBA, known for buying faltering companies and rebuilding them, hopes to create a publicly-traded company with headquarters in Charlotte that would field as many as five NASCAR teams. Hitchcock recently filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for an offering of 1 million to 2.5 million shares, selling for $10 each. The newly formed company's name: FanZ Enterprises Inc. The FanZ filing lists Hitchcock as chief executive and two others, Frederick McDonald II, and Michael Wurtsbaugh, as president and chief financial officer, respectively. The offering, if approved by the SEC, would be made this spring with race teams competing in 2002. Through a deal with Sharp Racing Inc. of Concord, FanZ secured a 6,000-square-foot race shop for $60,000 a year. The SEC filing anticipates building a 200,000-square-foot racing hub in the Charlotte area.
See full story at the Business Journal: Stock on the fast track. Address of the company is listed as: FanZ Enterprises, Inc., 3020-I Prosperity Church Road, Suite 293 , Charlotte, NC 28269. Phone: (317) 815-1128 (which is Indiana), from a listing at Market Guide(9-6-2001)UPDATE 2: On Friday at Richmond, Fanz Enterprises will unveil the newest in fan participation opportunity in NASCAR - a chance for fans to own part of a Winston Cup series team. Fanz is offering a maximum of 2.5 million shares of its common stock at $10 per share. Formed in October 2000, the company organized to develop and manage a professional, multicar motorsports operation that will compete in NASCAR-sanctioned events, including Winston Cup. Funds raised through the public offering, which has been approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, are expected to allow the company to field a minimum of two full-time race teams. Race fans can become part owners by purchasing a minimum of 25 shares of stock, a one-time investment of $250. All proceeds generated by the stock offering will be deposited in an interest-bearing account until a 1 million-share goal is reached or exceeded. If the goal is not reached, the money will be refunded. For more information, call (888) 444-8233 or visit fanzenterprises.com.(That's Racin')(9-6-2001)

Elder to run Cup race in 2002: Akins Motorsports announced their sponsorship agreement with Christian Elder to drive the #38 Great Clips Ford has been extended to include a full BGN schedule for 2003 plus the addition of the Brickyard 400 Cup race to their 22 race BGN schedule for 2002. Deka Batteries will be a major associate sponsor with the program. "If anyone had any doubts about my commitment to racing, this announcement should put them to rest," said Brad Akins. "I recently sold the #98 BGN (to Michael Kranefuss) team to let go of the responsibility involved with running one full time team and another partial schedule team as I needed to fulfill some personal and family obligations at this time. Stepping back to one team with a limited schedule for 2001 and 2002 is giving me the break I need to come back with a full time Busch Series program for 2003." Great Clips began its motorsports program in 1998 sponsoring Elder in the NASCAR Dash Series.(Akins Motorsports PR)(8-31-2001)

Hedrick to Return? with Earnhardt? UPDATE 3: hearing a rumor I have not been able to confirm - that Kerry Earnhardt, oldest son of the late Dale Earnahrdt, will supposedly be driving a BGN car for former #41 team owner Larry Hedrick. Supposedly the team will receive cars, engines, and all engineering help from DEI. The plan is to run BGN and move up to Cup. Not sure when or if the team will run it's first race(7-24-2001)UPDATE: two rumored sponsors are McDonald's and RealTree(Dale Sr's Assoc and the #71 Sponsor)(7-25-2001)UPDATE 2 ..more: Kerry Earnhardt, the eldest son of seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt, may be joining the BGN ranks full time next year. Racing under the DEI ownership banner, he could possibly have sponsorship from Wrangler Jeans and a known restaurant chain. Earnhardt has competed in two BGN races this year in the Michael Waltrip-owned-#99 Chevrolet. He has also competed in ARCA events, handily winning the June race at Michigan. His father competed with the blue and yellow Wrangler colors before donning the trademark black on the Goodwrench Service #3 Chevrolet.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(8-11-2001)UPDATE 3: Kerry Earnhardt is working toward a full-time Busch Series effort with former Winston Cup team owner Larry Hedrick. "I don't know anything yet," Earnhardt said. "I'm trying to put a full-time deal together. I've got several opportunities to do 19-22 races, but my goal is to work full time and get a lot of experience and more knowledge out of the Busch Series than what I can gain with just a limited schedule." Earnhardt, the oldest son of seven-time Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt and the half brother of former Busch Series champion Dale Earnhardt Jr., got together with Hedrick through mutual friend Rick Howard. Hedrick has been inactive as a Winston Cup team owner since last year, when Rick Mast and Gary Bradberry entered a total of seven events. If the program happens, it'll be backed by Dale Earnhardt Inc. The only thing standing in the way is financial backing, but that's a very big hurdle to clear. Hedrick declined comment, but does seem fairly certain he'll be able to land a deal.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(8-23-2001)

America's Most Wanted Racing team news: The Body Dynamics/America's Most Wanted Racing team has promoted Marketing and Media Relations Director of Body Dynamics Racing, Bodies, Inc., Scott Davis to the position of Motorsports Director and Team Manager for Body Dynamics Racing. The team is in the developmental process, which includes a team shop location (Denver. NC), decision on the series to compete (BGN or CTS), and finalizing a corporate underwriter for the America's Most Wanted motorsports program. One element they have settled on is a driver relationship with Robby Unser of Robby Unser Racing and a veteran crew chief and team (TBA) due to contractual obligations for the remainder of 2001. Scott's duties will still include overseeing the marketing and media relations department members of Body Dynamics Racing, Bodies, Inc. and www.bodydynamicsracing.com , but he will focus his efforts on building and managing the Body Dynamics Racing competition efforts, which will include finalizing a corporate underwriter for the America's Most Wanted motorsports program and overseeing the licensing, media relations and marketing departments. The BDR/AMW team will be located in Denver, NC near the company's core business and will become a customer of Body Dynamics Racing Bodies, Inc. for the fabrication needs.(Body Dynamics Racing)(8-22-2001)

More Jerry Jones: Hearing that Dallas Cowboy's Owner Jerry Jones and the Cowboys Franchise is interested in the Body Dynamics/America's Most Wanted Racing(AMW) program as a possible partnership or underwriter. And that the team has received requests from McDonalds, Cingular, Hershey Foods, K-B Toys and Toys-R-us to just name a few that have requested information about the underwriting sponsorship opportunities for the America's Most Wanted Racing program, which they have decided to expand into BGN and Trucks series as well. Body Dynamics/America's Most Wanted Racing is also in the final stages of signing a deal with Robby Unser to drive the AMW CTS entry next season(8-16-2001)

Kimmel to Cup? UPDATE: Frank Kimmel, current ARCA point leader and two-time champion, may venture into Winston Cup next season for three races. The only track that was mentioned for sure was Charlotte. His current sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, may be the one backing the effort. The 38-year old native of Jeffersonville, Ind., was the series rookie of the year in 1992 and was a runner-up in championship points in 1994, '97 and '99.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(6-23-2001)UPDATE: During the next three months, Kimmel and his sponsors hope to build a similar foundation in Winston Cup. Advance Auto is committed to supporting Kimmel in his bid to race in Winston Cup events later this year at Charlotte, Martinsville and Atlanta. He will continue to race on the ARCA series, in which he has an 835-point lead in his bid for a third championship in four years. One reason that Kimmel and Co. chose Winston Cup over other NASCAR circuits is the similarity of the cars he will be driving. He drives a Jack Roush Ford in ARCA and will be driving a Roush Ford in Winston Cup(Roanoke Times)(8-3-2001)

America's Most Wanted to Sponsor a Team? UPDATE: The television show "America’s Most Wanted" may soon be featured on a Winston Cup stock car, provided plans being finalized by the Denver, N.C., (not Colorado) firm Body Dynamics Racing Bodies and Straight Shooter Productions reach fruition. Straight Shooter produces "America’s Most Wanted," which assists in the recovery of missing persons and apprehension of criminals. The host of the show, John Walsh, said, "To have the opportunity to have the children’s faces out in front of the multitudes of loyal NASCAR fans, we are sure to recover some of these kids, due to the fact that 77 percent of all recovered children are done so by projects similar to this." "We still have a few issues to finalize," added Scott Davis of Body Dynamics Racing Bodies, "but once these are in place, this will be a successful project and concept."(Gaston Gazette). They are on the #92 Dodge this weekend, see next story and image(7-7-2001)UPDATE: With the announcement last Thursday from Daytona USA that Body Dynamics Racing Bodies, Inc. and Straight Shooter Productions, Producers of Americas Most Wanted have come together to work towards a NASCAR team sponsorship for 2002 and beyond for Americas Most Wanted program has generated some major interest in the press. While in Daytona, Scott Davis Media Relations Director for Body Dynamics Racing was approached by the Daytona News Journal and the Volusia County Sheriffs office to assist in the missing persons case of a Grandmother and her 10-year-old Grandson, Joshua Bryant and Lillian R. Martin who have been missing since 05/12/2000. "Since we had already made arrangements for Chandra Levy to be placed on the Melling Racing Cup car, I knew we would have to come up with a different venue to cover the same market", Stated Davis, "So we made an offer to the Volusia County Sheriffs Department to place the photos of Joshua Bryant and Lillian R. Martin on our website www.BodyDynamicsRacing.com as well as work with a team to place the photo's on their car for the race this weekend such as we did with Melling Racing in Daytona."(Body Dynamics Racing Bodies PR)(7-11-2001)

Kimmel to Cup? Frank Kimmel, current ARCA point leader and two-time champion, may venture into Winston Cup next season for three races. The only track that was mentioned for sure was Charlotte. His current sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, may be the one backing the effort. The 38-year old native of Jeffersonville, Ind., was the series rookie of the year in 1992 and was a runner-up in championship points in 1994, '97 and '99.(NASCAR.com Buzz), also Frank Kimmel made his 200th ARCA start in Memphis on Friday, finishing third behind winner Billy Bigley and 2nd place Rick Carelli(6-23-2001)

Crawford in Cup? Rick Crawford says he has a need for speed, possibly behind the wheel of a car at NASCAR's highest level. "The faster I can race, the better I like it," said the 42-year-old Mobilian, who is in his fifth season driving in the CTS. At an age when many drivers are looking for another profession, Crawford said he isn't thinking about slowing down his racing career. Instead, he has his sights on the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. "Nothing's etched in stone," said the driver of the #14 Milwaukee Tools Ford. "But the team owner and I have discussed running two or three Winston Cup races near the end of this season."(Alabama Live)(6-21-2001)

Driver to Attempt the Coca Cola 600 UPDATE: Jeff Fultz will attempt to qualify for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte next month. Fultz, 30, said Thursday he has landed a one-race deal with car owners Gene DeHart and Mike Clark for the Coca-Cola 600, May 27 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. DeHart's father, Gary, is crew chief for Winston Cup driver Terry Labonte. “I've been waiting for this all my life,” said Fultz, “NASCAR approved me this week, so we'll give it a good shot.” Fultz is a star on the NASCAR Gatorade All-Pro regional circuit, having finished second in the 2000 points race. He stands third this year. Fultz lives in Mooresville, N.C., where he works as a fabricator in the race shop of Winston Cup driver Robert Pressley. He will drive a Ford Taurus and get some help from Pressley's main sponsor, Jasper Engines. But his main support will come from two other sponsors, whom he did not name(Cincinnati Enquirer)(4-28-2001)UPDATE: Jeff Fultz, 30, will make his first career Winston attempt at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., site of the Coca-Cola 600 next Sunday. “We tested last week at Charlotte, and I was running with Dale Jarrett and Ward Burton,” Fultz said. “In race terms, we were as good as them. I was right in the middle of 'em, not gaining much but not losing much.” Fultz didn't want to risk much. He has only one car, the #54 Ford Taurus he will try to qualify this week. Fultz also might attempt to run in the Busch race at Kentucky Speedway next month(Cincinnati Enquirer)(5-22-2001)

Herzog in Cup: Herzog Motorsports, operated by Bill Herzog and sons Randy and Stan, has progressed from winning off-road championships in California and Nevada deserts and Colorado mountain trails to contending for a Busch Grand National victory. Their Busch driver, Jimmie Johnson, has four top-10 finishes and ranks fifth in the points standings going into Saturday's Pepsi 300(at Nashville). The Herzogs plan to run a two-car Busch team and five to eight Winston Cup races in 2002 and field a full Winston Cup effort in 2003. The Herzogs' future Busch and Winston Cup plans hit a speed bump this week when they released Toby Porter because of personal differences. Porter had posted third- and 10th-place finishes in three American Speed Association races. Billy Parker filled in for Porter during last week's ASA race in South Boston and finished seventh. Porter's departure comes at a critical time because Johnson's association with the team ends after this season. Under the terms of his contract with Herzog, which expires at the end of 2001, Johnson was allowed to negotiate a new deal with Rick Hendrick, who signed him to a multiyear deal to become Jeff Gordon's teammate, beginning in 2002(an run some Cup races in 2001 in the #48 Chevy). The Herzogs had planned to move Porter into Johnson's ride next year, so now they'll be trying out some drivers during the next few months. For their crew chief, the Herzogs this year hired respected Tony Liberati, who had experience with Winston Cup teams owned by Jack Roush and Hendrick(Kansas City Star)(4-13-2001)

New Cup team UPDATE a little history: Eric Smith, of Akron, New York, will again become the First and only Native American in the NASCAR Winston Cup during the modern era(1972-present) and the Arca RE/MAX series this year. Smith plans to compete in an extensive schedule with #92 entry in the Arca RE/MAX with a limited schedule in the #49 entry in the NASCAR Winston Cup series in 2001. Smith is a Native of the Iroquois Indian Nation and the Tonawanda Band of Senecas located in upstate New York. He is currently the only Native American competing in NASCAR Winston Cup and ARCA RE/MAX. With his appearances in the NASCAR Winston Open at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1995 and 1996, Smith became the only Native American Indian ever to compete in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series in the modern era. With a broad background in electrical engineering technology, Eric is also a professional fixed wing and helicopter pilot. After serving in the US Marine Corps for a 1 1/2 year tour in Vietnam, Eric began his life long career in stock car racing. Jim Michael, a native of Binghamton, NY, will again serve as crew chief for the NWC#49 and Arca RE/MAX#92 entries if he is free from his current situation(E & E Motorsports PR)(3-22-2001)UPDATE - history: after I posted the above, I got a few inquiries about the statement (before it was corrected) that Eric Smith was the first ever Native American driver in NASCAR Winston Cup. Been told that a driver from 1957 thru 1970 Roy Tyler was the first (or one of the first) Natice American drivers in the Cup (then Grand National series). A reader sent me some info from an old copy (1969) of the SCR Magazine: Roy Tyner was born in Lumberton, N.C. "...with half the blood that pulsed through him carrying the heritage of the Lumbee Indians. One suspects that the other half might be found to consist of gasoline, grease, and a trace of Wynn's Friction Proofing. Roy is proud of his Indian blood. The boyish humility and half-embarrassed grin that prevail when he is talking about himself, fade and are replaced by an air of authority when he speaks of his ancestry. The Lumbees were composed of bands of Indians who broke away from their own tribes. There were Cherokee, Comanches...." "The names of his children, India Dawn and Forrest Truitt, reflect his heritage...."(thanks Phil) and from the Forty Years of Stock Car book - Vol 2 - Tyler's best finish was a 2nd at Greenville Pickens, SC in 1959(3-24-2001)

Hillenburg BGN and Cup plans: Andy Hillenburg will attempt to qualify for the March 31 BGN race at Texas in a car owned by Wisconsin businessman Tom Mohrhauser. The car will be fielded out of Hillenburg's Fast Track High Performance Driving School shop in Harrisburg, NC. Its sponsor, Quail Unlimited, a non-profit wildlife organization, also backed the driver during last year's Indianapolis 500. Hillenburg's also got a seven-race Winston Cup deal with BAM Racing, set to begin at Talladega next month(Winston Cup Scene - need subscription to read online), sorry folks, no idea who BAM Racing is....yet, know they run ARCA(3-22-2001)

2000 News

Kimmel may try some Cup: Two-time ARCA champ, Frank Kimmel, may try to run a few Cup races in 2001 if ARCA sponsor Advance Auto Parts, decides to run a few Cup races or another sponsor is found(ESPN2's RPM2 Night)(11-16-2000)

Lasoski at all Kansas events? Danny Lasoski, normally a sprint-car racer, wants to drive in every race that will be run at the new Kansas Speedway next year. He thinks he's been able to wrangle a deal for a NASCAR Craftsman Trucks ride if the speedway gets one of those races and the same for a BGN and ARCA ride. Lasoski even thinks he has a shot at an IRL ride. But the Winston Cup race may be the holdup. It appears right now that he's targeting good friend Kenny Schrader for the Cup ride. Lasowski and Schrader are both Missori natives(KC Star)(6-18-2000)

Harry Carson a Cup team owner? former NFL great, Harry Carson, is looking to get into NASCAR as an owner along with Robert Wilson of Long Island. See the story at New Jersey Online/Star Ledger by Sid Dorfman(6-6-2000)

Parcells to own a team? The latest rumor making the rounds has Steve Park driving next year for a start-up team owned by Bill Parcells(Gaston Gazette) note: Parcells was rumored in the past to be involved with Ray Evernham but have heard nothing of that in a while(6-5-2000)

Hammerin' Hank to NASCAR? Hank Aaron, who is a senior vice president with baseballs Atlanta Braves, is actively seeking to own a CUP team for the 2001 season. Aaron has teamed with Atlanta-based Adair Greene Marketing Communications in detailed discussions with various Winston Cup teams, beginning several months ago. The Hall of Famer is showing the same patience in exploring the ownership venture that he displayed at the plate during his legendary baseball career. "We are being meticulous and persistent in our search," Aaron said. "This is like being a NASCAR driver and his crew. You never let up on the track, and you never overlook any aspect in setting up a car for a race. That's a quality that has helped draw me to the sport and to this business venture --- taking something that runs great, and faithfully striving to make it perform even better." (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) and (goRacing)(3-6-2000)

New Cup Team: IRL Team owner Tom Kelley said plans are under way to expand Kelley Racing with a one-car team in NASCAR's Winston Cup Series, starting with the 2001 season. Kelley said no official announcement is expected until next spring(2000), when sponsors will be identified. Jim Freudenberg, general manager of Kelley Racing, said the team is looking for a race shop in the Charlotte, NC, area. Team representatives contacted veteran NASCAR owner-driver Ricky Rudd about buying the assets of that team before it was sold to Robert Yates Racing as part of his agreement to drive there next season. Both Kelley and Freudenberg stressed that the new Winston Cup team will not dilute Kelley Racing's commitment to its IRL program. While Kelley and his father, Jim, basically financed the IRL team out of their own pockets for the first two years, Tom Kelley said that won't be the case should they decide to run in NASCAR. Kelley Racing is the third open-wheel team this year to announce intentions to branch out by adding a stock car division. Fellow IRL owner A.J. Foyt and Cal Wells, an owner in the rival CART series, have both made headlines with deals in the past two months. Unlike Wells, who drew the ire of the NASCAR community by supposedly "stealing" sponsors away from veterans like Rudd and Bill Elliott, the Kelley team would be backed by sponsors who would be new to the Winston Cup series, Freudenberg said. The Winston Cup team would become the third branch of Kelley Racing, joining the IRL team and a new American Speed Association team that was announced over the weekend. Mark E. Dismore, whose father, Mark, was the first employee of Kelley Racing, will drive a Chevrolet in the series for the 2000 season. The monster.com-sponsored car will be based in Fort Wayne. Ron Heck, the former crew chief for the elder Dismore's IRL car, will help oversee the new ASA program. Mechanics at all of the Kelley auto dealerships will be invited to work on the car as an introduction to stock car racing(in part from the Fort Wayne News Sentinel)(9-27-1999)

some old stuff....

#48 Team News ?? REPOST: America's Team Motorsports Inc. is coming to Winston Cup. The team is combining with Mark Smith and TriStar Motorsports and plans to run five Cup events this season. FansTeam.com, an Internet-based fan club created by the America's Team group, is sponsoring the car. Darrell Lanigan is expected to compete for the team in the second races at Michigan, Richmond, Charlotte, Talladega and Rockingham. A show car for the team is scheduled to be at Southside Speedway on Saturday night(Times-Dispatch)(5-17-2000)UPDATE? have heard nothing of this fans sponsored team in a while, they are not on the entry list at Michigan. The Fans Team site lists Michigan on the 'Team' schedule but also lists it is looking for a driver, no mention of Lanigan or Stanton Barrett, who attempted to make the Daytona 500 for the team before it was known as Fans Team. Last Press Release noted on the site was in March(8-16-2000)

#48 Team News: America's Team Motorsports Inc. is coming to Winston Cup. The team is combining with Mark Smith and TriStar Motorsports and plans to run five Cup events this season. FansTeam.com, an Internet-based fan club created by the America's Team group, is sponsoring the car. Darrell Lanigan is expected to compete for the team in the second races at Michigan, Richmond, Charlotte, Talladega and Rockingham. A show car for the team is scheduled to be at Southside Speedway on Saturday night(Times-Dispatch)(5-17-2000)

Fans Team: "FansTeam.com™" has announced its intention to sponsor a Cup car during the second half of the 2000 season beginning with the Pepsi 400 at Daytona. FansTeam.com™ is an internet based fan club specifically designed for NASCAR® team sponsorship and is the creation of America's Team Motorsports based in Richmond, VA. FansTeam.com™ has arranged to sponsor the #48 car owned and operated by TriStar Motorsports located in Huntersville, NC. TriStar has contracted Stanton Barrett to drive the FansTeam.com™ car for the 2000 season. Mark Smith is the President of TriStar. Barrett and TriStar began the 2000 season at the Daytona 500 in February and had an abbreviated schedule slated for the 2000 season. For more info see their site www.fansteam.com (3-17-2000)

Barrett and Tri-Star? UPDATE: I hear from readers that in this weeks Brandweek at the site Sportcut.com, there is the following story: Sports/entertainment web site Sportcut.com, which claims to have attracted more than 20 million hits in the two months since it signed Pete Rose as a spokesman and brought his Hall of Fame grievances to the Web, is delving into motor sports. The New York-based Web site will be the primary sponsor of Ford Taurus driven by Stanton Barrett of Tri-Star Motorsports in the Daytona 500 on Feb 20. If Barrett qualifies for Nascar's biggest race, it will be the first Daytona 500 entry with a dot.com as a primary sponsor of a Winston Cup Car(the Brandweek section is a members only site, so I could not link it) wonder if this is the #39 car that was rumored a few weeks ago(also added a story link on a different topic in the Article Links section below from Sportcut)(2-8-2000) -- UPDATE: on NASCAR Online, the entry list for the Bud Shootout is up and Stanton Barrett is listed in the #48 Ford AND see the story and image of the car at FoxSports. The story says Sportcut.com’s sponsorship is a one-race, six-figure deal(2-9-2000)

Tri-Star Back? hearing Tri-Star Motorsports will return as the #51 Ford using equipment from the defunct #58 SBIII team. Hut Stricklin was the rumored driver but it looks like he'll be in the #98 if that sale goes through. Tri-Star Motorsports, owned by engine builder Mark Smith, ran the #19 Ford with Loy Allen and other drivers a few seasons ago(1-7-2000)

Hut back? Tri-Star back? UPDATE: hearing rumors that Tri-Star Motorsports in some form will be resurrected with #58 SBIII engine builder and former #19 Tri-Star Motorsports owner, Mark Smith as at least a part owner. Hut Stricklin will supposedly be the driver with Donnie Allison as the Team Manager. And get this.....Motorsports Safety Technologies is the rumored sponsor. The #58 Motorsports team was housed in the old Tri-Star building, this whole thing could get interesting, if true(11-3-1999) -- UPDATE: Mark Smith, a co-owner in Tri-Star who has never fully closed his shop or his dream of being a Winston Cup owner, is looking into restarting his team with Barbour’s assets. If he does, Allison plans to join him. Motorsports Safety Technology could be the sponsor. The company signed a four-year contract with Barbour, but miscommunication between the two led to the deal failing and Barbour’s shop closing six days later. Stricklin had signed on to be the driver for the team. Smith’s former crew members spoke highly of the owner yesterday and said they had spoken with him about a return to the sport(Times-Dispatch)(11-14-1999)

Hispanic Racing Team

HRT: Along with his Dallas-based entrepreneurial cousin, Rudy Rodriguez, the Miami developer builds more than bricks and mortar. Vasquez, Rodriguez and established NASCAR(#41 Cup and BGN) team owner North Carolina's Larry Hedrick, formed Miami-based HRT Motorsports. The HRT stands for Hispanic Racing Team. The group plans to spend $100,000 to enter a car, driven by veteran driver David Green, in the BGN race at Homestead Nov. 13. The plan is to sign on sponsors with brands familiar to Hispanics and fly their decals on the team cars. But the team, several dozen drivers and mechanics, also wants to attract mainstream sponsors, looking to reach burgeoning Hispanic markets. Miami coffee maker Cafe Bustelo -- a company with strong ties to the Cuban-American community -- has already signed on as an HRT sponsor. It will create a concession to sell Cuban coffee at the November race. Royal Caribbean International Cruises in Miami also has signed on for HRT's first race(South Florida Business Journal)(10-18-1999)

Hispanic Team: Auto-racing entrepreneur Rudy Rodriguez is building the first Hispanic-owned, Hispanic-sponsored, Hispanic-driven team in NASCAR history (the WHOLE package here, owner-sponsor-driver, not just owner). Rodriguez originally targeted the 2001 Nascar season for a first run. Instead, HRT Motorsports Inc. will debut at a BGN race at Homestead in a Chevy. HRT, which stands for "Hispanic Race Team," has allied itself with a veteran Nascar owner, Larry Hedrick, to put its team on the track. Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has signed on as a secondary sponsor, as has coffee maker Cafe Bustelo. Negotiations continue for a primary sponsor, one that will underwrite most of the team's major expenses. The driver will be Colombian driver Jaime Guerro(Dallas Business Journal)(9-27-1999)(originally reported on this on 8-6-1999, see New Teams page)

Alliance: NASCAR's first Hispanic-owned team has formed a business alliance with Winston Cup owner Larry Hedrick. Hispanic Racing Team (HRT) owners Rudy Rodriguez and Mike Vazquez said their first appearance with Hedrick, owner of the Kodiak Chevrolet driven by David Green, will be in the BGN race on Nov. 13 at Homestead-Miami Speedway(That's Racin') hmm, what about Felix Sabates, owner of the #'s 01,40 and 42(8-6-1999)

Watson Green Motorsports

Watson/Green: Minnesota Vikings coach Dennis Green and Doc Watson are ready to race in 2001. The pair has not decided exactly what level of racing to run but is considering ARCA and the Craftsman Truck Series. Although Watson’s current ARCA shop is in Philadelphia, Green says the combined effort could be housed in Richmond(Times-Dispatch) AND also a story at That's Racin'. Anyone watching the ARCA race yesterday, that was Dennis Green presenting Kerry Earnhardt with the winners trophy. For past news on this team, see my New Teams Past News page(6-18-2000)

New Cup/ARCA team UPDATE: Doc Watson plans to open a team shop in Richmond, Va., this fall. Watson, who co-owns a team with a group that includes Minnesota Vikings coach Dennis Green, said he is looking for a site near Junie Donlavey’s 26,000 square-foot facility off Midlothian Turnpike. Watson plans to run two ARCA teams and eventually a Winston Cup team. Sprint car driver Rebecca Anderson, who has won three 360 Sprint races this season, is testing an ARCA car for Watson this week. The owner says he is not buying into or competing with Donlavey’s current operation. If he can have his Winston Cup effort ready in time, he plans to run the races that run concurrently with ARCA events next season. The two series are paired at the Daytona, Talladega, Charlotte, Pocono and Michigan tracks(Times-Dispatch)(9-25-1999) -- UPDATE: Rebecca Anderson of Houston, DE will not be driving the Doc Watson/Dennis Green entry in ARCA nor in any Cup races. Anderson has signed a deal to run 410cid sprints for Tom and Rich Rothe. The deal includes weekly races at Williams Grove(PA) and TV races in the World of Outlaw series(anon source)(12-21-1999)

New Cup Team..eventually? UPDATE: Doc Watson, a Pennsylvania racer who has driven in the ARCA series, is combining with Minnesota Vikings coach Dennis Green to start a new racing team. Known as Watson Green Motorsports, the team plans to enter five or six ARCA races this year, according to Watson. Next year, they'll run a full ARCA schedule. Eventually, they hope to move into NASCAR's BGN or Cup series(That's Racin')(8-6-1999) -- UPDATE: Doc Watson plans to open a team shop in Richmond, Va., this fall. Watson, who co-owns a team with a group that includes Minnesota Vikings coach Dennis Green, said he is looking for a site near Junie Donlavey’s 26,000 square-foot facility off Midlothian Turnpike. Watson plans to run two ARCA teams and eventually a Winston Cup team. Sprint car driver Rebecca Anderson, who has won three 360 Sprint races this season, is testing an ARCA car for Watson this week. The owner says he is not buying into or competing with Donlavey’s current operation. If he can have his Winston Cup effort ready in time, he plans to run the races that run concurrently with ARCA events next season. The two series are paired at the Daytona, Talladega, Charlotte, Pocono and Michigan tracks(Times-Dispatch)(9-25-1999)

Celebrity Motorsports

Lanier/Brown team UPDATE: Willie Lanier says his plans to get a Winston Cup team up and running for next season aren't going quite as fast as he'd hoped when he and Jim Brown, another NFL legend, announced their NASCAR goals back in February. But Lanier, now an investment banker here for First Union, says his dreams are just as bright as ever. See the rest of the PitNow story at: Lanier's NASCAR plans stalled, but he says he's still optimistic(9-12-1999) -- UPDATE: Willie Lanier remains enthusiastic about getting involved in the sport. But as a businessman, he realizes the window is closing for getting involved in Winston Cup next season. At the Daytona 500 in February, Lanier announced the formation of Celebrity Motorsports with Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown and Bill Futterer of Berea, Ohio. The group wants to become involved in ownership of a Winston Cup team through an alliance with an existing team. Lanier reportedly has spoken with NASCAR owner Felix Sabates, and he’s had several meetings with potential sponsors. By getting involved with an established owner such as Sabates, the group hopes to cut down on start-up costs. Lanier and Brown are part of a new wave of minority ownership in NASCAR. Former Redskins running back Joe Washington formed a Busch Grand National team with Julius Erving in 1997, and track star Jackie Joyner-Kersee has formed a Winston Cup team with her husband. Minnesota Vikings coach Dennis Green is part of a group that will run Cup races next season Lanier isn’t necessarily seeking a minority-themed sponsor, however. Lanier has been in the investment banking business for nearly 20 years, and he still sees potential for an influx of more sponsorship money(in part - Times-Dispatch)(9-14-1999)

Parcells an owner? New York Jets coach Bill Parcells and former New York Giants linebacker Harry Carson reportedly have approached NASCAR about buying all or part of a team. Although the extent of Parcells’ interest is uncertain, Carson has talked with Jim Brown and the group he is working with to organize a team(Times-Dispatch). Jim Brown and another football great, Willie Lanier are part of a joint venture dubbed Celebrity Motorsports who are rumored to be linking up with Mattei Motorsports(a few months ago), see my New Teams page for more info(8-14-1999)

New Team for 2000? UPDATE 4 Pro football Hall of Famers Jim Brown and Willie Lanier are part of a joint venture dubbed Celebrity Motorsports that is pursuing ownership of a Winston Cup team for the 2000 season(USA Today/Skip Wood)(2-6-1999) -- UPDATE 1: By this time next year, Willie Lanier and fellow Hall of Famer Jim Brown hope to be part of an ownership group of a competing team. Brown and Lanier have joined with Bill Futterer of Berea, Ohio, to form Celebrity Motorsports. The group hopes to become involved with an existing team and help with sponsorship and marketing. They have some teams in mind, but are not saying which ones. Lanier said he and his partners hope to have something lined up soon so they can be ready by Daytona 2000(Times-Dispatch)(2-11-1999) -- UPDATE 2: Jim Brown, a football legend, and Willie Lanier, another NFL star from the past, have been looking at a Winston Cup effort next season, and Felix Sabates appears to be their NASCAR link. Lanier is an executive with First Union, a company that has sponsored a Sabates team. And Sabates says he's looking at Mario Hernandez, 23, a young Cuban college graduate, as a possible NASCAR driver, probably starting with a Dash series car(PitNow/JournalNow)2-14-1999) -- UPDATE 3: Ex-NFL greats Jim Brown and Willie Lanier toured the press box during the race. The hall of famers are interested in owning a Winston Cup team(SpeedNet)(3-29-1999) -- UPDATE 4: I hear this may become the second Mattei Motorsports team in 2000(3-30-1999)

FAIN Motorsports

FAIN Announcement: Fain MotorSports announced today that it has signed Bobby Davis, Jr., World of Outlaw Champion, to a contract through the year 2002. F.M.S. will run in a limited number of Busch races the remainder of the season and will run a full season in Busch next year with a limited appearance in Winston Cup events. In 2001 they will run a full Busch season and in 2002 will move to Winston Cup. F.M.S. will operate from their shop in Lexington while looking for a location in North Carolina to relocate to next season. More information can be obtained about F.M.S. and Bobby Davis at their web site www.fainmotorsports.com (6-4-1999)

FAIN Motorsports UPDATE 1: From their site - They are currently negotiating with another Winston Cup driver. They feel that this will be a much better fit for F.M.S. if they can work it out and should know in about 48 hrs. F.M.S. is looking for a driver that is looking long term, one that will promote the interest of the entire operation. FAIN Motorsports obtained their license from NASCAR at Charlotte. If everything works out in the next 48 hours watch for an announcement(FAIN Motorsports site) NOTE: this is not an endorsement, but an FYI on the this new fan team(6-2-1999) -- UPDATE 1: I hear that Fain Motorsports have applied for a team owners license, but they do not have a car number assigned as of yet(6-3-1999)

Short Lived:FAIN Motorsports is no longer involved with Shepherd racing. The Fan based team(who claims to be the first but of course is not, Fans Can Race, Mark III actually made Cup races in the past) brought Wendy's aboard a sponsor of the #05. All the details are sketchy and I do not have all the facts, but supposedly, FAIN is looking at two other teams(one a BGN team, the other a Ford Cup team)(5-27-1999)

Shepherd Deal UPDATE 1: Morgan Shepherd announced today that he has entered into a joint venture with FAIN Motor Sports of Lexington, Tn. FAIN Motor Sports is a fan based group with a new concept in NASCAR racing sponsorship. Morgan will drive his first race under the FAIN Motor Sports banner at the Winston Open at Charlotte, on May 22. More information on FAIN Motor Sports and Morgan Shepherd can be obtained at www.fainmotorsports.com or by calling FAIN Motor Sports at (901)968-8100 (Fain PR)(5-14-1999)

Morgan Shepherd Ride? UPDATE 2: Hearing that Morgan Shepherd will attempt to make the Coca Cola 600 with a new fan supported team. The team is Fain Motorsports of Lexington, TN and info on the team can be found at their website: Fain Motorsports Site. Instead of donations or a fan club, they sell stock. No number has been assigned by NASCAR for the team yet and no idea if they will take part in testing Tomorrow and Thursday. Supposedly their shop is close to completion and they have a sponsors, Redneck Wear and Pecker Teez(T-Shirts). The sponsorship is coupled with the selling of stock to race fans. Also more info is on the Unofficial Morgan Shepherd page, the official site hasn't been updated for a few weeks(5-4-1999) -- Morgan Shepherd will be testing at Charlotte Wednesday and Thursday with the rest of the GM teams(maybe the #05 Pontiac?)(5-5-1999) -- UPDATE 2: Shepherd did test at Charlotte(Lowes) on Thursday and posted the 39th fastest speed at 174.267mph in the #05 Pontiac(That's Racin') I am told Shepherd has sponsorship for the races at Lowes and will make the attempt(5-7-1999)

McReynolds

McReynolds stays at RCR: Larry McReynolds ended speculation of becoming a team owner next season when he signed a contract extension with Richard Childress Racing to remain as the crew chief of the Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse Racing team through the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season. McReynolds, 40, has been the crew chief for Mike Skinner and the #31 Team Lowe's Racing Chevrolet since August 1998, when he came across the street from Richard Childress Racing's other Winston Cup program with driver Dale Earnhardt. Prior to that, he had been with Robert Yates Racing since 1991. He has 23 NASCAR Winston Cup victories and 18 pole positions since first becoming a crew chief in 1985. His victories include two Daytona 500s, with Davey Allison (1992)(not Irvan in 94, sorry) and Earnhardt (1998), and consecutive wins in The Winston (1991, '92) with the late Davey Allison(Cotter Group PR) also That's Racin' has an article at McReynolds extends deal with Childress(7-23-1999)

Announcement: Larry McReynolds said he will make an announcement July 25 at Pocono on whether or not he will field a team in 2000(Times-Dispatch)(7-10-1999)

McReynolds Team: Larry McReynolds, crew chief for the #31 Lowes team said Tuesday that if his team ownership deal doesn't come together by this weekend, it will likely never come together. See full NOL story at: Now or never for McReynolds' new team by Marty Smith(7-8-1999)

McReynolds' team: Deadline is getting closer, expect news anyday, one of the possible sponsors for McReynolds' new team is Burger King. One of his possible drivers is Joe Nemechek(PitNow)(7-5-1999)

McReynolds and Tide: As rumored here a week or so ago, Larry McReynolds, currently the crew chief of the #31 Lowes RCR Chevy, said Friday that one of two sponsors he and partner John Dangler had been talking to was Procter & Gamble, the company that makes Tide, about their own Cup race team for 2000. Tide is, of course, leaving the #10 Ricky Rudd team and is negotiating with Precision Preparation, a CART team. McReynold's says Tide was nervous about going with his 'new' team, "They kind of threw that theory out the window yesterday", in reference to the PPI negotiations. McReynolds said he has one more company he's working with, but that time for working on his plans for his own team is running out(That's Racin')(7-3-1999)

McReynolds to TV? UPDATE: "According to an interview published in this week's Winston Cup Scene, Larry McReynolds says if he can not find a sponsor for his new team, he will re-evaluate his career and perhaps stop being an active crew chief to become a network commentator on TNN."(6-30-1999) -- UPDATE: Actually in the article it mentions he wants the next move is planned as "This is it", or his last move, whether it be ownership, crew chief or as a broadcaster and from the Times-Dispatch: McReynolds' deadline is today for acquiring sponsorship for his proposed 2000 team. McReynolds, who makes the calls for Mike Skinner, said he would be hard-pressed to extend the deadline beyond today(7-2-1999)

And more Spencer: Larry McReynolds says he's ''close'' to finalizing a deal for his own Winston Cup team. Hopes to haves it done sometime in July. One of the drivers on McReynolds' list, according to sources close to the situation, is Jimmy Spencer. Spencer says he has decided against starting his own Winston Cup team next season, because of the expense(PitNow Notes)(6-19-1999)

Team Status: Larry McReynolds has another sponsorship meeting scheduled this week in his negotiations to put together a new Winston Cup team for next season. He's working against a June 30 deadline(PitNow)(6-14-1999)

The King Returns? UPDATE 1: Burger King that is, I hear BK will return to NASCAR as a primary sponsor on a BGN team fielded by a current Winston Cup multi-team(5-20-1999) -- UPDATE 1: Burger King is being wooed for a major Winston Cup sponsorship, and its logo could be on Larry McReynolds' proposed new cars next year, according to sources close to the situation(PitNow)(6-12-1999)

McReynolds and SABCO?Speedwords has heard that in his search for a team to buy Larry McReynolds has been approached by Felix Sabates about a relationship that would include McReynolds being named at least partial owner of a new team with full ownership coming in a specified amount of time. This of course is not the first time Sabates has tried to lure McReynolds to a different job. We also hear that this attempt is likely to be turned down as it was in the past. All indications are that McReynolds wants his own deal and will pass on a partnership, especially in light of a proposed sponsorship that is said to be very near signing. UPDATE: SPEEDWORDS hears there may be another owner with a similar offer for McReynolds, partial ownership for the first two years, it's his team after that. this one would take Larry back to the Ford camp, something Ford would be very happy about and may be helping behind the scenes(Speedwords)(6-3-1999)

Nemechek/McReynolds? Saw on PitNow this AM that Larry McReynolds is interested in Joe Nemechek who drives the #42 BellSouth Chevy for Felix Sabates. Also heard from a few sources the same thing. One problem is that Nemechek is signed through 2001(see my #42 Past News page 11-30-98), could get interesting(5-31-1999)

McReynolds Team: Larry McReynolds has set a drop dead date of June 15th to have a sponsor in place for his new Cup team. He says he has a driver picked out, but won't comment. If he has no sponsor by the date, he plans on staying with the #31 Lowes team(WC Scene)(5-22-1999)

McReynold's Team UPDATE 1 Goodyear?: Larry McReynolds is closer now to putting together his own Cup team and that he's optimistic he will be able to get all the sponsorship details worked out within his time frame of the next few weeks(PitNow)(5-3-1999) -- One of the possibilities(for a sponsor) is Goodyear -- the tire maker is trying to put together a full Cup sponsorship package involving as many of it's 2,500 hundred retail store as it can sign up. Ricky Rudd is another car owner Goodyear executives are talking with(PitNow)(5-4-1999)

McReynolds Cup Team: Mike Skinners crew chief, Larry McReynolds is steaming full-ahead with his plans to own his own racing operation in the year 2000. McReynolds is keeping Skinner's owner, Richard Childress abreast of his situation. The new team, Motorsports Performance Headquarters, with his partner in the new venture, marketing and public relations professional John Dangler. The two are still trying to get that major sponsor and have approx 50 proposals out. They hope to get a deal in place by May.(in part from NASCAR Online) - McReynolds has talked with Chevrolet about running a Monte Carlo next year(News and Record)(2-24-1999)